You ask for an update and here you have it! Forgive me for making you all wait so long I don't like doing that, but sometimes I need a break to get my head wrapped back around the plot.
This chapter starts off with a talk between Sirius and Remus, and they discuss a little more on the plans for Harry and something on Charlotte. After that we have a little something for Viktor Krum and our sweet Harry, just a bit of fluff and drama before the grand ball. A little warning though, there's going to be a slight surprise with Harry and Viktor going to the ball.
Read along to find out.
Written by myself and my sister author AnnaBoleyna1536, and we don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
Grimmauld Place:
"Never thought I'd have to see this ratty old hole again." Sirius looked around his family home, disgusted by how it turned out after all the years passed.
"Still as gloomy and depressing as you said mate." Remus walked in behind him. "Kreacher must be getting old to let it slip off like this."
"Yeah well it'll just stay here regardless, I don't want to be here anymore than you but we'd best try and keep it stable just in case." by that he meant a quick and careful getaway, but that might never happen. "Why'd we come here again?"
"No idea mate, I think you just wanted to stop by?" Sirius shrugged, but they walked through the house and straight into a dirty old living room with faded furniture and torn ragged carpets. "Hey Sirius, have you been talking to Charlotte lately?"
"Yeah just last night, she told me Harry's doing better and I got a letter from him saying the same. I think he's looking forward to Christmas again." Remus smiled.
"After last year's Christmas who can blame him, but that's not what I meant." Sirius turned to him.
"What do you mean then?"
"Sirius, I had a chat with Charlotte just a while back. I think there's something disturbing her but it's nothing to do with Harry or the tournament, or even Snape for that matter." Sirius' eyebrows rose slightly.
"Why Snape?"
"Not important right now, something is plaguing Charlotte about the other Weasleys. I shouldn't have done it, but I did."
"What do you mean Moony?" Remus sighed.
"I went to speak with Arthur the other day, I went to see him at the Ministry but luckily no one saw me enter."
"You can't go behind Charlotte's back like that Remus, she might've seen you."
"I know, but she hasn't said anything to me so either she didn't bother to look around or she doesn't care. She's too focused on Harry right now."
"Remus what did he say? Or what did you ask him?"
"I asked him about why Charlotte seems to hate his entire family, or at least a good majority of it. He told me that he wished he could understand it, but he said during those times after the war he and Molly barely held it together. Losing her brothers, taking on a two year old girl with her own children and Arthur struggling to put food on the table for them, he didn't really know Charlotte that well. He did say she often played with Bill and Charlie, sometimes Percy, but he knew there was something going on with her and Molly."
"Molly…yeah she seems to hate her most of all." they remembered the confrontation with the Weasleys, Harry told them about it. Charlotte had been civil to Bill and Charlie, but she was cruel to the rest.
"He didn't know what the problem was, he thought perhaps Molly was just in mourning. Grief mixed with depression and…well all I know is that he wasn't around a lot until the kids were starting school, but that was when Charlotte ran away."
"So in other words only Molly or Charlotte can tell us what happened, I doubt any of the others would know." Sirius sighed. "Let's just leave it alone for now Remus, it's not our concern and from what I can tell Harry has nothing to do with the Weasleys other than the twins."
"I agree, I don't want to test Charlotte's trust. On another subject though, are we going to attend the Yule Ball together?" Sirius smiled.
"Of course my darling Moony, we wouldn't want to miss a grand occasion would we? After all Harry will be there with Viktor and it'll be nice to go to a party on Christmas Day, that is after we have a good time with our own group."
"Seeing as the students will be gathered at the school during this year, might not be a bad idea. We'll get the morning with Harry and Charlotte, and then he and Viktor get a little time together before the ball."
"Does Charlotte have a date?" the ball was only a few days away, almost everyone had a date.
"I don't think so, I think she might be going alone. The woman's not exactly open about a possible love life." Remus felt his body chill for a minute, he hadn't told Sirius about how Charlotte couldn't see Snape in her visions and Remus wondered about it. He knew seers couldn't see their own futures, so was it possible that Severus Snape would be involved in her and Harry's future? It was a headache, but Charlotte told him not to think on it too much because she wouldn't.
"Well she'll go for Harry, that's all she cares about. I would hate to see her alone though."
"Me too but it's her choice, let's just focus on the tournament for now." the two men continued their talk with the upcoming holidays and the next task. It continued on late into the night, and then when the clock struck midnight Sirius helped Remus upstairs to his old bedroom and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Hogwarts, the next morning:
"Meow."
"I hear you Emmy I hear you." Harry awoke early the next morning to meet up with Viktor, and Emerald was going with him. She'd woken him with her tail sliding over his face, and when that didn't work she pawed his forehead. He'd been up two minutes later, dressed and ready to go see his boyfriend down by the trails near the black lake. "C'mon girl."
"Mew." she followed him out of the suites, thankfully no one was up just yet but they would be coming out for breakfast in about thirty minutes.
"Harry." Viktor greeted him at a stone bench and they kissed. Emerald nudged Viktor's leg and he bent down to stroke her ears. "Emerald." she purred.
"So what did you want to see me for so early in the morning? I don't suppose this has something to do with the ball coming up so soon?"
"Actually yes." Viktor took Harry's hands in his own, and knelt down on one knee in front of him.
"Viktor what're you…?" a blush creeped over Harry's face, what was this man doing?
"Harrison Charlus Prewett, would you do me the honor of attending the Yule Ball with me?" Harry had to hold back his giggle, he didn't want to make an idiot of himself.
"Yes." Viktor kissed his hands and they embraced, although Viktor lifted Harry up from the ground and spun him a little. Once Harry was back on his feet he pulled Viktor down for a sweet kiss. "That was nice, but why make it look like a proposal?"
"It seemed appropriate." one more kiss. "So perhaps I shall expect you in some lovely robes for the occasion?"
"We're supposed to wear our reds Viktor."
"Yes but you could request something else, all you have to do is ask Blagorodna."
"True, but why fancy myself up? Am I not good looking enough?" he sounded vain, but he was just joking and Viktor caught it.
"Dashingly handsome my love." Viktor laughed. "Also, there is something else."
"What is it?" Viktor glanced over towards the covered way, and Harry spotted two girls…fourth year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff coming over. He didn't recognize them, but they were quite pretty. The Ravenclaw's face was heart-shaped, had olive skin with piercing brown eyes and mahogany curled hair, and the Hufflepuff was an oval faced brunette with light blue eyes and rosy cheeks complimenting her milky white skin. He also noticed they were holding hands.
"Hello ladies."
"Hello Mr. Krum, Mr. Prewett." the mahogany haired girl smiled and bowed with her…friend. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"You know them?" Harry turned to Viktor.
"This one…" he pointed at the brunette. "Is the niece of one of my father's associates, we met on occasion but she's nice enough to talk with."
"Janine Beaufort." the girl introduced herself. "Viktor and I go back to when we were children, but only as friends. This is Chloe Burns my best friend and…my girlfriend." that made Harry's mouth drop slightly.
"Girlfriend?" the girls turned to face each other and kissed. "Well…nice to meet you." they shook hands, and Emerald meowed in approval.
"We're glad to meet you both like this, I gotta say that was mighty brave of you to put your story out on the front page of the prophet." Chloe had a bell-like voice, and Janine's was velvety.
"We didn't want to hide anything, so it was a mutual agreement. Now…are you two going to the ball together?" the girls exchanged a look.
"That's actually why they're here Harry, Janine has a request."
"What request?" Harry had an idea what.
"We know you both are going to the ball together, and we are too, but there's a small problem. My father…" Chloe sighed. "Expects me to go with a boy, you see he knows I'm with Janine but he thinks it's just a mere schoolgirl phase. He's coming to the ball, and if he sees me with Janine…I've tried to make him understand, that I really really like Janine but he won't listen."
"I think I get it." Harry turned to Viktor. "We should take them to the ball, I'll take Chloe and you take Janine." Viktor's eyes widened.
"Harry?"
"I mean we'll make everyone think they are our dates, and we'll give them a dance, and then we'll all take the stage and dance with each other." the girls gasped. "It works for us all, we'll get our dance." he motioned to Viktor and himself. "After we dance with them." he pointed back to the girls.
"Re…Really?" Chloe was astonished.
"Sure, it could be fun." all their eyes stared at them. "What?"
"Harry…you're really alright with this?" Viktor was stunned. "I sort of expected you to say no." Harry shrugged.
"Well I would've if it were a girl asking for a pity date, or someone who thinks they can steal you away from me. You also said she's a friend…and I can tell she's being truthful." Honestly Harry wasn't entirely thrilled; he wanted Viktor to himself at the ball. However this girl had a father not willing to accept her choice of partner, so perhaps he could shed some light on the man.
"You don't have to do this though; I was going to ask if we could just dance at the ball." Chloe whispered. "I wouldn't ask if we could be your dates; you two are a couple after all."
"Well we'll just have to make your dad see the light won't we? After all what kind of parent won't accept his child just because of who she is?" it reminded him of Snape, Harry wondered if her dad was anything like him.
"Well…ever since my mum died passed away he's been rather strict. That was two years ago." Chloe bowed her head and Janine held her. So she lost her mum, and her dad was being uptight.
"I'm sorry." now he felt bad for her. "Maybe he has reasons, but he should learn before trying to assume things. So yes, I'll take you as my date, but after the main dance we'll go to our partners and show everyone there's no shame in being gay."
"I…I don't know how to thank you." Chloe was blushing happily.
"Don't worry about it; just meet us near the Great Hall that night. Let's keep this between us though." he put a finger to his lips. "Save it for the ball."
"Sure." Janine looked to Viktor. "How did you find someone like him? He's so sweet."
"He sure is, one of the reasons I fell for him." the girls thanked them one more time and then took off towards the castle. Breakfast had already started, and Harry was beginning to get hungry.
"Let's go eat, we should have some sustenance before classes start." Emerald meowed in agreement. Harry picked her up and they walked towards the Great Hall. They just made it through the doors before Harry spotted two girls coming their way, Gryffindors.
"Hello Krum." a girl with thick black curly hair smiled flirtingly at Viktor.
"Hello." he nodded at her.
"Vane." Harry frowned at her, and her name spoke for itself. Romilda Vane, one of the meanest little bints he'd ever met. Completely full of herself and thinking herself high above all others.
"Potter." she frowned at him.
"It's Prewett, get your facts straight Vane." she was a nasty piece of work, same age as Ginny but more selfish and conceited. Harry couldn't stand the tramp even when he was at Hogwarts.
"I'm not here for you, I'm here to ask Viktor a question so why don't you run along?" she made a motion for him to shoo, but he didn't move.
"Why don't you just ask him the question with me here, I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Viktor smirked.
"Not at all, what do you want Ms. Vane?" she ignored the hardness in his voice.
"I was wondering if you would like to attend the ball with me? I haven't a date and the ball is coming up soon, so would you?"
"I'm afraid you're too late, I am already going with someone else."
"Someone else? Well surely they can't be that important, you could do so much better with me." she twirled a piece of her hair in her hand.
"They are important, very important to me. You should find someone who might actually fall for the look that's been sent my way a hundred times."
"You mean someone so desperate to go with her they'll likely just ignore the fact she's a bitch?" Harry laughed.
"True Harry, very true." Romilda's face went red with anger.
"You can't talk that way to her!" her friend spoke up.
"Actually he can, he is my boyfriend after all." Viktor kissed Harry's cheek.
"Wh…you mean that story was real?" Romilda paled slightly. "The one in the prophet?"
"Yes it was real, we set it ourselves. So go bother someone else Vane, you're about to ruin my appetite." they stalked off and after Emerald gave a mean hiss at Vane she ran alongside them. They found two empty spots at their table, and the food was still warm.
"Where've you two been?" Nikolai asked after taking a bite of toast.
"Out, had a little run in with some undesirable girls." Viktor answered.
"Here Emerald." Harry fed her some small tender pieces of bacon with a little egg and some porridge. She had already eaten before they came out, but it wouldn't hurt to give her a little treat.
"So are you two going to the ball with each other?" Viktor nodded.
"We are but…it's a surprise." Gerard stared.
"Surprise mates?"
"You'll see." Harry smirked with a wink and began to eat his own breakfast. He noticed down at the teacher's table Snape was staring at him, and so was Dumbledore. They seemed to have a sort of longing in their eyes, but Harry gave one little glare and they started talking to the rest. He also noticed McGonagall staring at him, but she seemed calm and collected as if knowing she couldn't say much in return.
"Hey…almost forgot mate." Devon pulled out a silvery wrapped package and handed it to him. "Your mum sent that just this morning, Blagorodna handed it to me to give you." it was soft inside, probably clothing. He opened it up, and the contents revealed were dark blue and silver-lined dress robes, with a note at the top.
Harry,
I talked it over with your headmaster, he said you can wear this but others can do so as well. You won't be the only one out of uniform that night; I'll be there around eight.
Love,
Mum
"Oh?" he looked up. "Who all else is not wearing the reds?" a few hands went up, including Nikolai and Gerard.
"Our robes will be in later, as long as we wear Durmstrang's crest on the front we won't be confused with the others. It's rare too, but Blagorodna gave the word."
"Good so I won't be the only one sticking out like a sore thumb." the others laughed. "Have you all got dates?"
"Sure do, I'm actually going with a girl called Maybelline, she's in Beauxbatons…that one over there." he Gerard pointed at a curly strawberry blonde headed girl with a smile so white it lit up the room.
"I'm going with a sixth year Hogwarts Slytherin, Annalisa Bellona I think she's a prefect here." name didn't ring a bell, but Devon pointed at the Slytherin table where Harry spotted a lovely girl with soft brown eyes and shiny black hair in a thick braid.
"Me, I'm taking that one there." Nikolai pointed at the Ravenclaw table, to a girl with long blonde hair and dreamy blue eyes. "She's quite sweet, strange too but sweet."
"What's her name?" Harry thought he'd seen her before.
"Luna Lovegood, I saw her being bullied by her housemates and so I stepped in and asked if she'd like to go to the ball with me."
"Bit young isn't she Nik?" Viktor saw her and waved. "Looks about thirteen."
"Yeah but she's nice to talk to, you ought to meet her Harry I think she'd surprise you. I mean she's not going to be my girlfriend or anything but I could be her friend." Nikolai seemed to feel sorry for the girl so he asked her to the ball. Not too bad and the girl didn't seem to mind.
"Okay mate, I will at the ball." the ball was going to be fun, Harry could just feel it. He was looking forward to the evening, but while his excitement kept his mind happy and open, he had a stranger feeling that something else was going to happen that night.
Good or bad, he would have to wait and see.
Sorry I kept you waiting so long and sorry for the cliffhanger. I hate them too but I had to cut the chapter somewhere.
Next chapter comes the grand Yule Ball, and it's going to be a night of fun for Harry and his group. Charlotte comes too, and is she going to have a date or will she end up going alone? How's everyone going to react to his and Viktor's little plan?
I'll try to get the next one up by next month, it will be close to Christmas after all.
R&R
Later!
